A County Minor Football league (Div one)
All Saint’s Ballymena 1-03 Erin’s Own Cargin 3-10
The introduction of both Hugh O’ Donnell and Conhuir Johnston in the second period ensured a win for Cargin in their meeting with All Saints at Quinn Park on Sunday. Only a single point separated the sides following a low key first half in which the posts at either end proved an elusive target.
A fine goal by Diarmuid Quinn in the early minutes the product of an inch perfect delivery by Cian Scullion saw the visitors nip smartly away from the start blocks after a Louis White point at the other end
The Toome side added a couple more points shortly after via Ryan O’ Neill and Cahir O’ Boyle to suggest that the visitors were on their way to success, but in the event further scores were to be hard to come by in the latter stages of the period.
All Saint’s having took a time to settle after that early Louis White point but they regained composure in front of posts again at the end of the opening quarter as Louis Devlin’s strong approach, and a cute lay off saw Gareth Bradley fire to the back of the net.
This scorer settled the home side and only the crossbar prevented Ciaran Mc Quillan adding a second major, but the wing half forward gained some consolation shortly after when he clipped a 25 metre free between the posts when he was fouled himself.
Cargin having lost their way somewhat following a smart opening replied in the latter minutes and a late Diarmuid Quinn pointed free ensured a slim 1-03 to 1-02 advantage at the break.
Cargin introduced both Hugh O’ Donnell and Conhuir Johnston, both of whom having been on Antrim duty the previous evening and those introductions were to prove productive in the extreme.
Replacement Conhuir Johnston opened his account with a trio of points within the opening few minutes of the second period and after Ryan O’ Neill followed suit the visitors looked comfortable.
The home side kept battling with Louis Devlin and Pearce Martin to the fore but the visitors were now on top and All Saint’s net minder Keelan Clarke did make a splendid save to deny the ever dangerous Conhuir Johnston but he was unable to prevent the substitute adding a further two points in the 44th and 46th minutes to extend advantage.
The home side had their backs against the wall as the second half progressed and a fine interception at the back by Hugh O’ Donnell opened the way for Ryan O’Neill to send Conhuir Johnston in to find the net. The same player created another opening for his fellow second period substitute Niall Quinn minutes later and the result was the same.
Cargin finished the game well on top as the final whistle approached with a late score by the home sides Darach Bradley very much a consolation with Cargin breasting the line at 3-10 to 1-03.
All Saint’s: Keelan Clarke, Coary Mc Killop, Owen O’ Rawe, Ciaran Logan, Archie Mc Greevey, Ryan Thom, Louis White (0-01), Pearce Martin, Louis Devlin, Dan Kelly, Ciaran Mc Quillan, Gareth Bradley (0-02), Caolan Neill (1-00), Fiontan Brady, Fiontan Bradley Subs) Luke Walsh, Carter Reid, Euan Anderson, Orran Mayo.
Cargin: Daniel Mc Cann, Patrick Matchyck, Ben Mc Larnon, Eoin Scullion, Jack O’ Neill, Ciaran Mc Peake, Cahir O’ Boyle (0-02), Cian Scullion, Charlie Mc Cann, Ryan O’ Neill (0-02), Jack Harney, Tom Mc Cann, Carl Mc Cann, Diarmuid Quinn (1-01).
Subs
Hugh O’ Donnell for T Mc Cann
Conhuir Johnston (2-05) for Carl Mc Cann
Niall Quinn for J O’ Neill
Fiontan O’ Donnell
Conleth Hamill for D Quinn
Referee K Doherty (Rasharkin)
